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How Qualcomm Is Taking the Fan Experience to the Next Level

Qualcomm's new Gimbal beacon technology is changing how fans interact with stadiums. Does the company hold the answer to the future of fan engagement? It's possible.

Football games are typically an insanely fun time—cheering on your team, beer in hand, surrounded by thousands of other loyal fans. Some might even refer to the experience as a kind of heaven (well, except for Giants fans this season). But let's say you had the chance to heighten fan engagement and enrich each individual's personal experience; where would you begin? There are tons of options—and Qualcomm is one particular company at the forefront of taking the fan experience to the next level.

Qualcomm positioned 50 small beacons throughout the stadium grounds and created a "geo-fence" around Sun Life that will—depending on your location—send relevant, timely, and personalized alerts to your mobile device.

Complex Tech visited Sun Life Stadium last week—where the Dolphins held off the Patriots in the final seconds of the game—and had a chance to preview its Gimbal proximity beacons that trigger various notifications via Dolphins Pass, an app developed by eMbience. Qualcomm positioned 50 small beacons throughout the stadium grounds and created a "geo-fence" around Sun Life that will—depending on your location—send relevant, timely, and personalized alerts to your mobile device. Say, for instance, you're near the team store, you'll receive a notification (known as a "Card") about a discount on Dolphins merchandise, or perhaps you're taking photos next to the Dan Marino statue upon which a notification pops up with classic video footage of Marino. Best of all: if you're standing in line waiting for grub, the app will alert you of a shorter line to grab food and drinks.

Qualcomm was tight-lipped on what stadiums they plan to introduce the technology in next, but is currently working with the LosAngeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on utilizing beacons throughout its various galleries.

“With the availability of Gimbal proximity beacons," said Rocco Fabiano, president of Qualcomm Retail Solutions, "we are empowering brands to take mobile engagement with their customers to a whole new level through micro-location."

Thanks to Qualcomm, you may never interact with a stadium the same way again.